icantdrive55

In my store, they did lower the price of milk, eggs, flour, sugar, potatoes, and their house brand of cheeses. They really did try to lower the prices of some, some of the basics.

They do have a lost liter wine for $2.49 a bottle. They hide it. Forget the name.

I despised Whole Foods for years. It was just like throwing away money. My father couldn't even pass the stores--he would take a side road just to avoid the parking lot, even when he had a tumor in his liver. My dad didn't understand high prices, or throwing away money.

Anyways, a relative whom is too old to drive, had me take her there. She bought all the expensive items because she could. I didn't buy anything, until a few years ago; they really did lower the prices on certain foods.

(If anyone from corporate happens to read this--get rid of uniformed security. Hire undercover on the stores with high customer theft. For what you charge, I don't want to see security guards. While I'm at it get rid of the time clock sensors the Janitors scan. The job is degrading enough, you don't need to micromanage them. If I'm paying extra; treat all employees well. Yea, I do notice.)

I don't like the news feed, but it's still better than most apps.

I almost quit FB. They got me back with the news feed, but as always, with a fake idenity. It's just going to get better--which is troubling.

I see so many new start-ups, and wonder why I still can't get a good news site. A site that takes advantage of big data?(Yes--I know you don't have that easy "viewed" data).

If I was designing a news site, I would first need a good source of news. I would then need a program (didn't say algorithm because it's overused) that feeds the news to the customers on data(views--where to get that? Twitter? Google?). Then you need the program to filter out the gratituios views(any news story with a big ass, or sexual in nature). The API needs to be intuitive.

There's probally a website out there that accomplishes this, but I'm too lazy to hunt, and will not pay yet.

Hell--at this point; I thinking of incorporating a serious news site, with a light porn site. It seems like porn is the only thing that most people will shill up for?

The book Billionaire's Vinegar is a eye opener too.

What I found funny is William Koch spent millions because he got his ego bruised.

The book also describes what might happen to some if you become a wine snob, and worse; what you might evolve into if you make a lot of money in life.

The book is very well written. I'm not a big reader, and I finished it in a few hours.

In college, I worked in a big wine store. The owner really didn't care about the business. He would come in sometimes under a bottle, or two, and after witnessing our horrid sales skills technique, should tell at us, "Open a bottle, and taste it. Then sell the crap!". I still remember that Shark's tooth, framed in gold, that would bounce off his chest while he was yelling.

The sliding door would close, I would watch him leave, and I could go back to my minimum wage clerk mentality. Meaning I would try to get my studies done. Besides dusting, there wasen't much work to do. This was in the ninties, and grocery stores, drug stores, etc. were taking away his business. He really didn't care, he owned a few apartment complexes that he made a fortune off of. He just wanted to ride out the lease.

One night, after the Manager, gave us the same speech about getting to know the wine, and sell it--a meek accountant from the back walked out and told us, "Boys--get ready!"

He then walked around the store picking bottles off the shelf, even the wine in the glass cases. He picked at least 50 bottles--all over $30. He was really miffed about someting.

We had a taste test that night. I couldn't tell the difference between the $70 bottles, and the $30 bottles. I was not a wine drinker though. The Accountant called us Beer Boys. He was right. I then asked him to do a blind taste test. He said, Go ahead--try to stump me!"

I set up twenty red cups with the price written on the bottom of the cup.

He ended up liking the less expensive wines. When I told him, he said, 'I've had a bad day---I can usually tell the difference', or something like that.

He then realized he just opened at least 2 grand worth of wine. He had a look of constipation on his face. He then asked us to pour all the wine down the drain in the bathroom. He said, "Quick--the Security guys might pop in?"

We poured all that expensive wine down the drain. To this day; I feel weird about the waste.

40 Rebublicans said No

12 Democrats said No

Feinstein (D), Sessions (R) refused to vote.

(Roughly)

There's two ways to become eligible.

A. Program based (enrolled in Medi-cal, SSI, Food stamp program. (These programs are not easy to qualify for.)

B. Income based (1-2 household: can't make more than 25,900. That includes all income, including gifts. If you have 10 family members you can make $74,900.

I don't think it's "so lax".

They credit a little under $10 bucks a month. So it's a landline, or a lousy cell phone. You still end up paying the rest of the bill. It's not free. (The cell phone providers take the subsidy hoping/praying the customer will go over their credit. "Then we can bill the lousey service!"

I can't imagine a internet provider service for that less than $10 credit. (There must be a catch?)

People complain about the free phones some poor poeople get. It's a horrid cell phone. If you qualify, get the landline, and it's only for local calls.

These days government programs know a lot about households. The Internet has stopped a lot of the fraud. People are very poor, but so many Americans believe the poor are cheating in some way? Those days are kinda over. Big brother knows everything--yea! The Rebublicans stil believe the slackers are cheating the system. Sad.

Because companies do what companies do best; keep down costs, and exploit every angle they can get away with.

It's gone on too long. We all see the abuses, but are afraid to say anything.

Since there's such a "tiny pool of people" move the organization to---say India? Or China? They must have eager qualified candidates?

Yes--this would be the best, but it's always been about Revenue Collection since I got my provisional licence at 15 1/2.

Personally, I would like to see fines tied to Income.

In my county, of Marin, the wealthy drive like they don't have a care in the world. They don't care if they get a ticket. It's just a part of driving? "Oh well?"

The help--they know a $500 ticket might ruin their year, or put a dent in next months rent? It's not fair.

Plus--towns, counties realized 25 years ago that fees, and fines on all levels are a legal way to tax.

I'll spill the beans on Marin County. Just don't drive through it on a Friday, or Saturday night, after 10:30 p.m. Cops assume everyone drinks like they do on their days off, or at parties.

San Anselmo is basically a speed trap. If you aren't white and look wealthy, be prepared for a pull over for no reason, or a really debatable ticket.

San Rafael is o.k.; they have real crime to attend to.

Ross, Greenbrae, Kentfield, Corte Madera, Novato, and Sausalito are just Revenue Collection Squads.

(Your tech wealthy bosses usually end up living here, if they make it big, and you might be invited to a hootenanny?)

I've worked as a general contractor, and a union finish carpenter. (Yes--Finish Caroenters still exits in some counties, like San Francisco. The work has changed though. It's all about speed, and specs, and laminates.)

What I found is so many people glamoririze wood working, but at the end of the day keep your desk job. Working with your hands is a dirty job. It's a physical job. You come home tired. There's a reason, even custom wood shops, are filled with immigrants.

I know very few independents that make a go of it. I know a few guys who highly specialize, and claim to make a living. For a few years, guys were making good money refinishing wood slabs, for tech bosses. That market is getting crowded. A $8000 table can be had $800 if you travel, and shop around.

I won't get in to all the downsides, but if you have some extra room buy some wood working equipemnent. You don't need to go hog wild. You don't need a cabinet saw. You should have a contractor's saw with a cast iron table. A router. Drills--don't spent a lot on fancy features. Union finishers use the cheapest plug in drills. Have an assortment of clamps. Keep your chisels sharp. You don't need every router bit made either. It's not about the tools in the end.

I really think the secret is to specializing. Do custom chairs? Get your name out there. I know one guy who makes custom dressers, but they are works of art. This guy will spend months working on a piece, and some rich guy will buy it for $180,000.

I once wanted to make custom knifes, but every guy I talked to said you won't make a living off it.

I am going to try to make custom sterling belt buckles. I've done some jewelry work, and found that a hard niche to get into. The Chinese make some realistic looking hand made stuff. Yes--they steal our original ideas--sometimes overnight.

My strategy is to get in quick, and get out if I get a bunch of copycats. I already have most of the tools.

I think a lot of us want to do something else? My dad, who was an Electrician, once said, "I wish I had a job where I could sit in a warm office for two hours in the morning, and then get in my service truck and do physical labor." He never found a job he totally liked. He died an angry man. It wasn't his job he hated so much; he was just angry about everything. My biggest fear was turning into my father.

I don't think I ever will. I had a busted a gasket in my noggin in my twenties, and don't look at the world like I used too.(bust gasket--had minor nervous breakdown in my twenties. I got better, but my perspective on life did change.)

I wish the state legislature would put a limit on the number of unsuccessful libel lawsuits a lawyer could file.

They file because they have the money to file, and some very bruised egos. I can't remember one they won.

In my state of California, a Plastic Surgeon managed to rack up over 70 bad Yelp reviews. She then tried to sue 12 of her former patients.

The judge threw the lawsuits/lawsuit out. Poof!

I have been to too many bars over the decades.

I usually went because I wanted to meet someone new. I had very mixed results. While I had mixed results; people did seem to interact with eachother. Yes--it was small talk, but interaction.

Fast forward to today. The smart phone seems to have just ruined the experience all together.

I can blame myself--I'm not the same social person? I've aged? I don't find people and their stories as interesting? Blah--blah--blah?

I don't know? I do know that Phone Stare is really played out. It seems like everyone is engrossed in that screen?

The last time I was out, I was in an Irish themed bar in San Francisco. The older Bartender was asked a question by a patron. "This place is dead?"

He then said, "Maybe you should put the phone away? Plus, the led light brings out all the fine lines around the eyes?"

Yea--it was kinda rude, but he said it in a joking way, and with that Irish accent it came across as kinda endearing. Someting a father might say?

The phone eventually went into the bag. A person sat next to her, and asked her if he could buy her a drink. They talked, and talked. They genuinely seemed content--

I walked out, and it seemed like 90% of the patrons were still staring into that screen. All looked kinda misserable. I thought--what could be so interesting? A fifteen dollar drink, and waste the time on the screen?

I don't know if we are going to put the phone away, but I hope I'm still around if that day comes.

(I understand pulling out the phone if your socially awkward, or shy, but after awhile of Staring into the Abyss, put it away? And yes, if your at lunch putting together that huge business deal; I get it, but most of us just arn't that important. You're in a bar because your lonely. Admit it! Own it! Life is short--no one is judging you, nor cares. That phone is a huge turn off on so many levels. This goes two fold for guys.)

"I'd expect that as soon as those with power to change the law are negatively affected by poorly written laws, those laws would soon be changed."

1. We have way too many laws now, and they just keep piling up year, after year. I once heard in California, if you add up all new changes, and bylaws, we are enacting/changing 12,000 laws a year. (I don't have a citation. Just something I heard.)

2. I given up arguing over what laws are needed, and what just sound good.

I would like to see the punishment of all laws (criminal, federal, local, etc.) tied to income. Rich guy runs a stop sign, he gets a $5000 ticket. The poor man gets the current $500 ticket.

I heard Switzerland is trying this?

A poor man gets a $500 ticket; it might just be the last straw?

A rich man gets the same ticket; he mentions it over dinner.

In my world, high fees for Revenue, is not the way to tax. In many cases these fees seem unconstitutional, but who even cares about that old document anymore?

Rebuttal on paragraphs:

1) SSDI is determined by a medical doctor. The patient has the decision to apply, but after that it's a judgement call by "professionals". I used quotes because the system is severely flawed. Getting a dissability lawyer involved early is prudent planning. It shouldn't be this way, but the system is severely flawed.

2) Just rambling?

3) agree

4) not totally free. Agree "lots of providers won't let you in the door."

5) I belive you get Medicare after two years on SSDI? The people I knew who were on dissability were all relied on state medical benefits. In California, they relied on Medi-Cal. Most doctors won't accept medi-cal. Sure, they got free hospital visits. Depending on where you live, a hospital might be your only recourse. Yes it's free, but it minimal quality of help. Many drugs are not on an approved Formuliary. They purposely make getting benefits very difficult. Going to a hospital should be the last resort? The system forces some people into going to the emergency room. Still not fixed, even after Obamacare?

I don't know. Let me ask you something? Why would you pay a hospital bill you have absolutely no control over? I see some noble people trying to pay off their padded hospital bills, and I don't get it. I would understand it if their wasn't collective bargaining, and some standard way of computing hospital costs. Right now they can charge you whatever. My father was given a gift basket by the hospital staff. Months later he looked at the bill. That gift basket was $300.00. He refused to pay even his 10% of the adjusted bill. (Had great Union insurance.)

If someone qualifies for free medical care; why do you care? Our medical system is not a free market entity. We like to think it is, but it's a closed system.

My congrats to any collective barging entity(like Medicare, and many private party insurance companies) that keeps prices down for its members. Actually, they just refuse to pay the bill on many cases because they can.

Obamacare gave us a few rights. They look like they will be history though?

I've stopped and failed drinking too many times to count.

My psychiatrist told me flat out, "Don't even try to stop on you're own. It's just too f---ing dangerous." I used that terrible advice for years. I kept on drinking.

I went to A.A., and just coudn't stomach it, on so many levels.

I wasen't going to spend my last $15 grand on a expensive rehab.

I did taper off around ten years ago. It took a few weeks. I knew it would be dangerous to just stop. I did everything the experts told me not to do; like have alcohol around the house, and hang around people who drink.

We all drink for different reasons. I felt I was drinking to control my anxiety; and much of the time I was self-medicating. I tapered down to a few drinks a day--I finally got down to one, or no drinks.

My point is if anyone reading this is trying to stop drinking, and the status quo advice just isn't working, if I could taped down, I honestly think most people can.

(Try not to drink hard alcohol. That really did a number on my body. When I went back to wine, and beer; It was only then could I begin to even think about tapering down to no drinks. I'm not giving advice. I'm just stating what worked for me. I really thought I was hopeless. My father, and grandfather both died from liver tumors that metastasized into cancer. Both were big drinkers. I didn't think I had a chance in hell. Plus--I had a nervous breakdown in graduate school, which turned into generalized anxiety. I still drink, but it's not much. I'm not the bloated mess I used to be. My life is still not great, but it's not due to alcohol.)

I never appreciated Literature in college. I took the courses, and faked my way through the course work. Yea--I read the books, but most were just dry, and hard to read; for myself.

Years later, I read Lolita. There was a part of me that almost put it down. I read it because I wondered what all the fuss was about. From the first page, it might be the best written book I have ever read.

It's too bad. I was thinking about a website that would just identify cams. The website would just map out cams/cameras. I don't think I would have a problem getting info on cameras. The average American worker has been treated like dirt for too long.

My only problem is thiefs might take a liking to the site, and I can't stop that.

Anyways, I don't like being photographed for buying a bolt at Home Depot. I don't see it stoping until people say--no, but it seems like people don't care, or feel helpless?

Personally, I have never liked being photographed, or tracked. I don't think it's o.k. for anyone to bring out the video camera out after a few beers anymore. In my world, those innocent days are gone. I automatically think, "where will those pictures end up?"

I have given up being tracked online.

They want to preserve the data.

How about this:

1. Prgram an app that you asks the user if archive.org could store, say 1 gig of encrypted data on your hard drive? It wouldn't be mandatory, but you could help if desired. It would just sit on your hard drive. That gig of data would be changing on a regular basis. (Big data centers could offer to take in data. Hell, they could have another tax right off at the end of the year.)

2. After all the data has been distributed around the world; the data transfer would start over again, but on different computers. In a short amount of time you might have millions of computers with part of The Internet Archive sitting idle on users hard drives. The end result is the users would be worker bees; waiting for the queen to call them home. (In the end, you might have 1000 computers with the same block of data on their hard drive. Why because computers don't last forever.)

3. If we had a catastrophe, once the new Internet Archive was repaired/restored; the data lying dormant on millions of hard drives would come home to papa in a orderly manner.

4. It would remind people of the importance of preserving history. It would bring more attention to The Internet Archive. It would bring in a sence of team. Why not try it until this 592c3 gets their donations?

5. Yes--this is off the top of my head. I would need to put more thought into it.

By law, all water heaters need a regulator pressure valve. (Before this federal requirement; some people had rocket in their garage. Middle of the night a water heater would go through the roof, if the homeowner was lucky.). In this case, I would want four regulators, on my nuclear hydronic heater.

RICO statutes sound like a great legal tool.

They have been abused. They need to be amended.

We picture they are being used to go after Mob types.

They use them whenever they can.

How do I know? I almost got into trouble giving my parents a bit over $10,000 cash years ago.

A bank teller turned me into the IRS. Bank employees can be awarded money for turning in any amount of money "they feel" might be suspect. It doesn't even have to be over $10,000. Yes--a bank teller. Anyone in that bank.

Got a call from the IRS. They mentioned I could get my parents in trouble. They stated this is a "curtesy call", but it scared the chit out of me.

They mentioned the RICO statues--in a joking way. I went to the library to look up RICO statutes. Yea, this is hilarious?

I sold a car--I restored, and gave my mom money she could use.

Never in a million years, did I think she could get in legal trouble. I still remember paying a useless lawyer $500 at 5 a.m. to basically say, "give me a ten thousand dollar retainer." I said, "but what have I don't illegailly?" He paused. "Well nothing?" I walked out of his office, thinking this is a weird system. I still get his lousy Christmas cards.

Yes--this stuff happens all the time.

I think the working class was really tired of Globalism. I'm as liberal as they get, but building in the cheapest country always bothered me.

I get hammered for this, but we buy Apple products. We pay a premium. We are told Apple has to build overseas, in order to sell us products at their low prices. Then they have the gut wrenching corporate problem of too much cash?

I'm sorry--it always bothered me.

That said, I'll be shocked if Trump succeeds in bringing back manufacturing. Those senators are not going to raise Tarriffs, or do anything to upset their corporate lobbiests.

My Psychiatrist has been telling me, for over two decades, "All my patients are different."

It's one of his better stock answers to questions.

I have never been truely suicidial, but I had, I guess, a panic attack in my twenties, and from the next day on I was a nervous emotional mess for years. I tried to go back to a professional school I was in, but just crossing the Richmond bridge was a feat in itself.

I knew my life would never be the same. Looking back--I'm not sure that was a terrible thing?

I spent my savings(financial aid, and dirty money) on Therapy. I got introduced to the right Psychiatrist--I think? (Yes--try to avoid drugs if you can.)

It's ironic he brought up M. Scott Peck's Book. The Road Less Traveled. It was required reading in a college speech class. Yea, I think the professor decided to become a Healer? The book has a great first paragraph. Maybe the best I have ever heard.

'Life is difficult--why not work hard in school, or work, and become someone with a great life', or something along those lines. Then he goes into the second half of the book, 'If you can't disprove the existence of a god, why not embrace religion.'

I read the book, but I was trying my best in life. I was doing the hard work. I was doing what they(society) told me to do. I was young, idealistic, and wired pretty tight. I believed I could do anything, and up to my breakdown, I could. I was one of the more capable persons everwhere I went.

Then I busted a gasket. And I was a trembling mess. I needed two 375 ml bottles of wine, just to get through the door of a chitty/easy job. I was a dizzy mess all day.

I've been in about a year of therapy, been on >10 drugs. Looked into four Psychiatrists faces.

What worked? The more addictive drugs helped a bit. Exercise helped. I didn't have a problem with a higher power, but that higher power didn't help me, even on a Placebo level.

The biggest factor in my healing was time.

And yes--we don't have much time, but it's the only thing I can look back on with confidence. I hear about people committing suicide, and I always think they didn't give it enough time. And yes, sometimes it's years, but Everyone is Different. It might be a few months until you don't feel like your in that cloud of misery? It's usually just a few weeks though. Mine was unusual according to a professional.

I have a theory, and it's just geared towards Americans, because I've never been anywhere else.

It's this:

We are so conditioned to be great; we push ourselves too hard. We take on too much stress in our twenties/thirties, and the brain which is basically geared(evolutionary) to procreate, and eat--sometimes just breaks down, and we get OCD, depression, anxiety, etc.

Most of you will be able to work towards having everything, but some of us will break down.

I really don't have any advice, other than don't beat yourself up. Work, or to school, but don't work youself sick. Don't try to have everything right out of high school, or college.

It's just so hard to have everything in life. By the way, most people don't have everything. Everyone I know is missing something. There's the person with the great job, and can buy anything, but is all alone. And the reverse. We're all kinda misserable.

My heart goes out to anyone in agony. Just please give it time.

I've basically used t.v. as a substitute for people. Yea--I know it's pathetic, but I've been single most my life. In college, I literally couldn't study without that t.v on. I can't even fall asleep without it on now.

I'd turn it on, and not even know what was on, but lately--there's been some shows that suprised me.

West World is one. As a kid, the movie West World was my favorite movie. Future world was second. I watched those two movies so many times.

I was in therapy years ago.

I told by the Therapist, "I didn't have a bad childhood."

I was basically tired of talking, and just wanted a drug to calm my brain down.

She told me patients whom had bad childhoods, actually had bad/subpar childhoods, in many cases."

That's about all I got out of the sessions. She just got her MFCC, and was very honest, and seemed to care. She was pregnant, and in some sessions we would be both crying together. She was actually the only Therapist I liked. I think because she was young, and took her job seriously.

I look back, and I don't think I had a bad childhood. I had typical Irish American/Mexican parents. I was the oldest, and was expected to do things differently, but my chilhood wasn't terrible.

Anyhow, I did look it up, and supposedly children from tough backrounds tend to think they had great childhoods, with all the usual exceptions that accompany Psychology.

I will honestly never know in my case. I refused to blame my parents. My father was a piece of work though.

When I got older, I basically didn't want to turn into him, and I haven't yet.

I am getting flashbacks of those days. It was so nice to walk into a Starbucks, and not see the chorus of people staring into their devices.

The smart phone is looking like The Adult Pacifier. I'm getting old, but I remember social anxiety. I might have been that person who pulled out the phone?

I would like to know too.

I have some weird interests that I guarantee puts people to sleep (watch repair, horology), but I'm a weirdo.

I have a feeling your interests might interest a lot of us?

As to myself, I'm tired of computers, and the Internet--it all peaked, for myself, around 2008. I wont say why because everyone got so pious, for Very good reasons.

I do miss the plethora of information people were scanning, or uploading back then.

Yes it's true. I just ordered some MR11 bulbs that are defective. (It might not be their fault. I think they send 220 volt, instead of 120volt halogen lamps.) It's not worth shipping them back. There's a weight/size limit, but many items are shipped free.

A bigger question. If more people took advantage of this free shipping paid for by the Chinese government; how would American companies compete?

(Since I here--Amazon has been slowly raising prices, and people don't seem to notice, or care. I noticed it with portable transistor radios at first, and MR11 bulbs lately. Personally, I'm getting tired of UPS trucks racing up and down my street, filled with a lot of stuff we probally don't need.)

I still like Apple products.

Will I buy a new Apple product--probally not, but will buy used.

I look at the shiny, miniminslistic Apple Stores. I look at their products, and I just get this picture in my mind.

The picture is Steve Jobs throwing phones/computers/watches right against his glass office windows. (He know the windows are shatterproof). His blood pressure is off the charts. He knows he needs to calm down, and make a bunch of changes at his company.

He is so upset with the hardware; he isn't even yelling about the software bugs, or the weird direction the company is going in. I picture him yelling, "We are not a democracy here--you listen to me. We are not Google. We are not a company with too many chiefs. I'm the chief! We do it this way! Oh, yea--we do listen to some of our customers. We are not in the 90's. People have changed. Let's not irritate our better customers?"

I picture employees tip-toeing around that office--until they produce a produce a product that is up to Apple standards. They know they need to produce the perfect product. A device, even Job's, won't find fault in. They know Apple bugs are just expected to be fixed quickly. They know Apple only produces the best devices. And then, and only then can Apple put a huge price on the package.

I have seen too many Programmers lose everything. I'm not sure why.

I think part of it's the big money up front, free perks(food & drink), and all the positive energy that the founder/founders tell the employees. It seems like family--kinda. It seems like a dream come true.

Then your not. A bigger company buys yours, and heads roll. Then the real world rears its ugly head. You are being interviewed by a kid.

Since the barrier to entry is not great--there's usually someone to fill your shoes. The ego is not killed though. You had a really good run. You have skills. You start to regret all those pep talks you gave people. I seen some turn to drugs to fill the void.

I have seen twenty somethings go from the fast food industry to pretty good jobs. Their attitudes changed. They aren't cynical about the "system" anymore. They have a great time at work. They work hard. Some save that money, but a lot of it is just blown. The cute girlfriend worships him. It all seems kinda easy, but hard enough to not worry. "No one can do what I do, or as well." There's company dinners. The awards. There's trips to Europe, with LDS steeped into the luggage. Fun times! Life couldn't be better.

The company quietly losses money, and it's back to just getting by. Too many become homeless.

I really believe unless your the Rock Star Programmer; save your money because their will be a time when the parties over. In this industry, it seems like it's in your late thirties.

I hate to be that guy, but I'm tired of hearing, "I used to be a programmer." from a homeless person. Don't think she will stick by you either. Don't estrange the people you once knew when you get that shiny job. Don't let the "haves, or rich kid's father fill your head with stars, and cliches. He has a huge bank account to fall back upon. He has assets to fall back on. He will take care of his kid, but you are expendable.

"It teaches communication, makes sure you know how to get your ideas out into a consumable format, and teaches critical thinking."

I honestly don't know if college teaches critical thinking.

And honestly-- Im tired of college grads acting like they learned how to think in college.

I remember so many courses in college that had critical thinking in the college course outline, and I didn't learn anything besides common sense on that worthless busywork.

Let's spill the beans on college.

If you didn't pursue a STEM degree, in fifteen to twenty years; get back to me on exactly what you remember, or how college made you a Critical thinker, who could communicate like like Donald, or Hillary. They do it so well, and both went to great schools.

For all those that didn't go to college, there are a few essential courses:

1. A good Psychology course. One that emphasizeses The Placebo Effect, the Scientific Method, statistics, and what differentiates a good study, from a bad study.

2. Take a statistics course. (Again, if you get the right Psychology Instructor--you might be able to skip statistics. Basically--you just want to differentiate the b.s. that's thrown at us daily. If you don't ever learn it, you're in good company. There's many doctors who are fooled into believing something works, with horrid statistics.

3. Take Philosophy 101, and try your best to master the material. You will forget 95% of it.

4. Take English 101. If the teacher doesn't seem to care, take another English course. Learn how to write an essay, and research paper. Learn the basics. Topic sentences, funneling, etc., and then write terribly, like I'm doing now.

5. Learn mathematics through trigonometry.

6. Take a year of Physics.

7. Take a auto repair course at the local community college. I took a few classes, and those courses saved me thousands over the years. They might be the best college courses I took?

I probally forgot some important course. People can add to this, or take away.

My point is stop telling people they need college to think critically.

There was a lot of busy work. A lot of drinking. A lot of sex. And yes, some courses that prepared us for life--I guess?

The important stuff, like using your rich friends to get ahead was never taught. You know networking? Along with don't blow a mental gasket over the b.s you'll have to deal with getting a higher degree was skipped. Oh, yea, and don't "knock up" the first girl you date in freshman chemistry.

In the US, when given a section 8 housing voucher(which is practically impossible to get unless you just happened to sign up a decade ago.); you can take that voucher wherever you like.

In my county, all a Ladlord needs to do is comply with some sensible regulations, like have running water, and he's a section 8 landlord.

A lot of landlords, rent barely inhabitable units, or run down mobile homes, and make a tremendous amount of money.

I knew a doctor, who bought an old trailer lot, and turned it all section 8 units. He made a killing off the government.

The tenants were just happy to not be homeless.

I would go through Hacker news past posts, and comments.

Print out the better ones.

Get him familiar with the lingo.

My biggest stumbling block was learning the ever changing language of all aspects of computing.

Then buy him Learn to Program by Chris Pine. I would also want him very comfortable with UNIX, and the command line.

When he gets out,if he has some support; he will do just fine.